I need your design advice - what to do with a bathroom with dark blue tiles?

[sparklemagic]

I'm interested to get the MN view on this. We should be moving soonish to a house that's been recently done up (very nicely done). It's only a small two bed place but it IS lovely, the only thing is that the owners have put in a lovely new white bathroom and tiled all round the room (half height, not tiled to the ceiling) using dark blue mosaic tiles. It's not DREADFUL but personally I would never choose this colour and it seems such a shame to have a brand new bathroom and to hate it!

They've painted the walls white, so it's white and DARK blue! Cos I'd never choose this colour, I am clueless about how to accessorise/paint the walls/what colours I should go for. Any ideas anyone?????

Leave as is,or paint tiles white.
Don't make mistake of ludicrous themed shell/mermaid/nautical bathroon .
Hideous.

Oh,and only white towels will do.

Leave it white, and use white towels.

I agree white walls and white towels.

oh moondog, I know - if I see another seaside themed bathroom I will VOMIT.

OK, I am liking the white theme, so it's basically ignore the blue and keep everything else white! The 'fittins' are chrome, do you think I could go for silver/mirrored sort of things, I'm thinking one of those mosaic style mirrors on the wall?

help, I feel clueless about interiors!

go for silvery accessories .maybe get some silver tile paint and paint the odd tile with a silver star or something?( waits for evryone to say yuck!)

alexsmum, good to know you think silver is ok. Are you the person who had the thread the other day about your DS starting school at just four? I read that and really wanted to reply but had to go out. Was spooky, you said ALL the things I have said about my DS who starts reception in Sept. aged just four.

If that was you!

yes it was me!!! have just posted an update about the meeting with the headteacher today!

OMG, it sounds like you are describing my bathroom! It was like it when we moved in, and as it's rented property we are very reluctant to change it. As others have said use white towels, or if you are a bit worried about them getting dirty (said with a grimace, dp's just do not care!) use a mixture of dark blue and light blue towels. Use silver/chrome accessories wherever possible, or if not use white ceramic with blue mosaic painted tiles. If you really must paint, I would strongly advise against painting the tiles but to paint the walls a creamy colour. Not as overpowering as the white (although we need it as our bathroom doesn't have a window, everyone who does!) Hope this helps.

thanks cheesecake, some really good ideas!

I am pottering over to your thread now alexsmum!

mine too exactly !!

Don't paint the tiles. Painted tiles always look horrible and cheap-skate-ish.

oh, and if you have a windowsill, green leafy plants can help 'break' the space, and draw your eye so you don't notice the rest of the room so much. Will also soften the stark contrast between the white and the navy without looking like a contrived colour scheme.

(We used them with sucess in a ghastly, starkly clinical, granite-and-white rental kitchen)

themoon, I agree, painted tiles never look quite right....and thanks mrs B, that's a brilliant idea re the plants - I hadn't thought of it at all but LOVE that idea....

any others anyone??!!

Is there room for a big green plant? Might look nice with the blue and the white. And you could make the plant pot match the whole scheme as well. I agree you should keep white walls and white towells & chrome accessories.

Moondog, I am a broken woman. I have been collecting exotic sea shells for years and I bought a gorgeous blue string of fish which I want to use as a light pull if I ever get round to fitting out a bathroom.

thanks all, actually I feel quite happy with keeping the walls white and will get some nice white towels, and some greenery - have wanted one of those mirrors that have mirrored mosaic round the edge for ages, so will have a good excuse to get one now...

all we;ve got to do is buy the house now! thanks all!

DG,real collections with meaning and soul are fine.
It is just not quite the same when it is a ready made thing form Matalan or Next.
Will let you off lightpull similarly.Those are sweet.

Oh thank God for that!